Using Spotlight with Annotations

Rather than place a box with an annotation, or create something that is too animated, I often like to fade the opacity of the image to 35% or so using a Custom Animation, and fade-in a text-only white annotation on top of image at a time that corresponds with the narration.

However, there are times you don't want the opacity of the whole image to be reduced, especially if the subject is visually interesting or relevant to the learner or viewer.  Here is a technique I like to use, especially when the background is a medium contrast - too dark for black text to be readable, and too light for white text.  

To create that additional darkness and contrast in a portion of the image or video, sufficient for an annotation to be easily readable, I will use the Spotlight visual effect.  Use Spotlight to darken a corner of the image and layer your white text annotation on top.  You can think of it as a semi-vignette.

Spotlight has a source indicated by a red dot, and a focal point indicated by a clear circle with an X in the middle.  You may find it easier to view the stage at 25% so that you can see both the source and the focal point.  These can, and sometimes should be, positioned out of frame to get the effect you want.  Between the positioning of the source and the focal point, and the focus and opacity settings for the Spotlight visual effect, you have a lot of control to get just the right amount of contrast for your annotation.  Don't forget to set the "Ease In" to a half second or more, just prior to fading in your annotation.  It makes for a nice, professional look.